Applications now open for SW ‘Tech Advisory Group’
A new advisory group which is set to help shape the future development of the tech sector in the South West of England is being launched and is now open to applications.
The group will comprise 15 senior representatives from a wide range of backgrounds, including business and academia. Tech South West says the team will help ‘to help progress the strategic direction of the technology sector in the region.’
The application process to join the South West of England Technology Sector Advisory Group is now open.
The tech sector currently has more than 17,500 companies working within the region. It’s envisaged the advisory group will look at ways the industry can be best supported.
‘The tech sector contributes hugely to the region’s social and economic prosperity,’ says Toby Parkins, chair of Tech South West.
‘We are global players in marine, environmental and climate tech, with major hubs in Bristol and elsewhere.’
‘The sector has already created over 100,000 jobs, numerous career opportunities, and continues to secure investment from across the UK and overseas. We have leading universities, research and tech centres, business accelerators and more.’
‘The sector benefits from a collaborative approach, which is why we believe an advisory group, packed with exceptional talent, people with experience across industry and academia, could really help us define future direction and to progress activity.’
‘Ensuring we fulfil our potential’
The group will cover an area encompassing: Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Administrative support will be provided by Tech South West.
‘The South West is already making a fundamental difference globally because of the science and technology that is developed here,’ says Dan Pritchard, Founder of Tech South West.
‘But equally, we need a thriving ecosystem that supports early stage startups, engages with students, helps non-tech companies adapt and adopt relevant technologies, and is working at every level to tackle and solve real-world challenges.’
‘We need more diversity in the sector, more visibility of what it offers and the positive impacts it creates, and a clear direction for the next decade.’
‘The group’s work to shape, monitor and support progress across what is an incredibly broad and varied tech sector, could be key to ensuring we fulfil our potential, helping the South West of England become a vibrant and leading UK hub for technological advancement, opportunity and prosperity.’
Earlier this year saw business leaders celebrating following the announcement that the ‘South West tech accelerator’ will be returning for its third year – with an aim to support 150 companies.
The scheme is the only one of its kind for the whole of the South West of England. The Tech South West Growth Programme was launched in 2021 and it’s helped South West companies secure more than £1 million in funding in its first year.
Tech South West works alongside universities, Software Cornwall, Digital Somerset, UWE Future Space, TechSPARK, Plymouth Science Park and Exeter Science Park.
Alongside a host of organisations, the team is also engaged with: Tech Exeter, Silicon South in Dorset, British Business Bank, Innovate UK, SETSquared, Microsoft, Plymouth Freeport and EPIC.
